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156 weeks
On Campus and Online. Your study will involve a mix of lectures, skills development workshops, group work, self-directed study and workplace learning.
Full time / Part time / On Campus / Online · For each subject, allocate about three hours for lectures and tutorials. Additionally, you should allow approximately 10 hours per week, per subject for self-directed study.
February | May | September
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Adelaide
Level 3, 127 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA 5000
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Professional Body
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission / NDIS Quality and Safeguards
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
TRA / VETASSESS
Course Content
Valuing Diversity
Students will examine diversity in Australian society in relation to socio-economic status, gender identity, age, ethnicity, culture, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. Social structures, dominant values, norms, and discourses that privilege some groups over others will be analysed from critical and intersectional theoretical perspectives.
Foundations of Interpersonal Communication
This subject introduces students to the key concepts, theories and models of interpersonal communication and their use in social work and community services practice.
Introduction to Community Services
This subject introduces the community services sector in Australia, including historical, political, and cultural background to welfare support and the current landscape of the community services sector.
Ethics and Professional Practice
This subject introduces students to the ethical principles and theories that underpin professional practice in community services and provides opportunities to apply these principles in practice to resolve ethical challenges.
Understanding Societies and Social Analysis
This subject introduces students to key sociological concepts, theories, and processes that help to understand and analyse society from a sociological perspective.
Principles and Practice of Case Management
This subject establishes the principles and practice of case management, introducing students to various case management models and elements of person-centred practice in community services.
Applied Interpersonal Skills 1
This subject builds on foundational knowledge developed through CSW102 and provides further opportunities to learn about and develop interpersonal skills for effective relationships.
Program Planning and Coordination
This subject introduces students to the program development and coordination process including how to plan, develop, implement and modify service programs in community services.
Applied Interpersonal Skills 2
This subject continues to explore the essential interpersonal skills needed to effectively engage, support, communicate with, and motivate clients from a range of diverse backgrounds.
Mental Health
This subject explores the varied experiences of individuals, families and carers utilising mental health services in Australia, the scope of services, and areas in need of improvements in the system.
Lifespan Perspectives
This subject is an introduction to theories of individual human development and change across the lifespan, examining development and transitions from a range of theoretical perspectives.
Community Services Fieldwork 1
This subject is the first of two placement experiences designed to draw together and apply theory, knowledge and skills from prior coursework subjects. Students undertake a 200-hour placement experience.
Human Service Systems and Contemporary Service Delivery
This subject builds upon foundational knowledge of the welfare system and social services in Australia, examining historical and social contexts and critiquing contemporary issues in the human services system.
Social Policy in Human Services
This subject builds upon foundational knowledge of social systems to expand students' understanding of the development, impact, and value of social policy in human services.
Working with Groups
This subject explores the theory, practice, and ethics of psychoeducational and support group work, introducing students to planning, working with and leading support groups in mental health, wellbeing, and human services contexts.
Families and Children
This subject introduces the foundational knowledge and skills required for working with children and their families and support networks across the community services sector in Australia.
Introduction to Management in Community Services
This subject prepares students for management roles in community service organisations, introducing key concepts, roles, structures, and skills of management in community services.
Working with Young People
Students expand knowledge, skills, and theoretical understanding to prepare for working effectively with young people in scenarios and settings across the community services sector.
Conflict Management
This subject introduces students to key models and approaches to conflict management and resolution in community services practice, including mediation, negotiation, problem solving, and communication.
Connecting Cultures: Community Services and First Nations Peoples
This unit provides students with the knowledge and skills essential for working effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities, grounded in principles of cultural safety and respect.
Disability Advocacy and Accessibility
This subject builds on students' knowledge of disability policies and supports, developing an understanding of the importance of disability advocacy across community services in Australia.
Common Questions
Students are required to complete 400 hours of fieldwork across two supervised placement subjects at approved community service agencies. The first placement (CSW204) involves 200 hours, and there is a second placement subject that completes the remaining hours.
To successfully complete the Bachelor of Community Services, you must complete 24 subjects totalling 144 credit points, consisting of 22 core subjects and 2 placement subjects. The course takes 3 years full time, or the part-time equivalent. Full-time students typically complete 8 subjects per year across three trimesters, while part-time students typically complete 4 subjects per year.
Yes, the Bachelor of Community Services aligns with Community Work Australia (CWA) accreditation standards. Ikon is currently working towards applying for CWA accreditation to further enhance the value of the course.
The indicative course fee for the Bachelor of Community Services is $54,600 for domestic students (3 years full time). FEE-HELP is available for eligible applicants. Ikon is also offering financial scholarships to new domestic students commencing a community services course in calendar year 2026; more information is available at ikon.edu.au/scholarships/.
Yes, the Bachelor of Community Services is available both on campus (at Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney) and fully online. International students may study up to one-third of their subjects online. The academic year is structured into three trimesters, each consisting of 11 weeks of teaching followed by an assessment week, with intakes in February, May, and September.
Application
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Step 02
Submit Documents
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Step 03
Get Enrolled
Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!
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